General Appearance

The German Shorthaired Pointer is a versatile hunter, an all-purpose gun dog capable of high performance in field and water. The judgment of Shorthairs in the show ring reflects this basic characteristic. The overall picture which is created in the observer’s eye is that of an aristocratic, well balanced, symmetrical animal with conformation indicating power, endurance and agility and a look of intelligence and animation. The dog is neither unduly small nor conspicuously large. It gives the impression of medium size, but is like the proper hunter, “with a short back, but standing over plenty of ground.” Symmetry and field quality are most essential. A dog in hard and lean field condition is not to be penalized; however, overly fat or poorly muscled dogs are to be penalized. A dog well balanced in all points is preferable to one with outstanding good qualities and defects. Grace of outline, clean-cut head, sloping shoulders, deep chest, powerful back, strong quarters, good bone composition, adequate muscle, well carried tail and taut coat produce a look of nobility and indicate a heritage of purposefully conducted breeding. Further evidence of this heritage is movement which is balanced, alertly coordinated and without wasted motion.

Size, Proportion, Substance

Size – Height of dogs, measured at the withers, 23 to 25 inches. Height of bitches, measured at the withers, 21 to 23 inches. Deviations of one inch above or below the described heights are to be severely penalized. Weight of dogs 55 to 70 pounds. Weight of bitches 45 to 60 pounds. Proportion – measuring from the forechest to the rearmost projection of the rump and from the withers to the ground, the Shorthair is permissibly either square or slightly longer than he is tall. Substance-thin and fine bones are by no means desirable in a dog which must possess strength and be able to work over any type of terrain. The main importance is not laid so much on the size of bone, but rather on the bone being in proper proportion to the body. Bone structure too heavy or too light is a fault. Tall and leggy dogs, dogs which are ponderous because of excess substance, doggy bitches, and bitchy dogs are to be faulted.

Head

The head is clean-cut, is neither too light nor too heavy, and is in proper proportion to the body. The eyes are of medium size, full of intelligence and expression, good-humored and yet radiating energy, neither protruding nor sunken. The eye is almond shaped, not circular. The preferred color is dark brown. Light yellow eyes are not desirable and are a fault. Closely set eyes are to be faulted. China or wall eyes are to be disqualified. The ears are broad and set fairly high, lie flat and never hang away from the head. Their placement is just above eye level. The ears when laid in front without being pulled, should extend to the corner of the mouth. In the case of heavier dogs, the ears are correspondingly longer. Ears too long or fleshy are to be faulted. The skull is reasonably broad, arched on the side and slightly round on top. Unlike the Pointer, the median line between the eyes at the forehead is not too deep and the occipital bone is not very conspicuous. The foreface rises gradually from nose to forehead. The rise is more strongly pronounced in the dog than in the bitch. The jaw is powerful and the muscles well developed. The line to the forehead rises gradually and never has a definite stop as that of the Pointer, but rather a stop-effect when viewed from the side, due to the position of the eyebrows. The muzzle is sufficiently long to enable the dog to seize game properly and be able to carry it for a long time. A pointed muzzle is not desirable. The depth is in the right proportion to the length, both in the muzzle and in the skull proper. The length of the muzzle should equal the length of skull. A dish-shaped muzzle is a fault. A definite Pointer stop is a serious fault. Too many wrinkles in the forehead is a fault. The nose is brown, the larger the better, and with nostrils well opened and broad. A spotted nose is not desirable. A flesh colored nose disqualifies. The chops fall away from the somewhat projecting nose. Lips are full and deep yet are never flewy. The teeth are strong and healthy. The molars intermesh properly. The bite is a true scissors bite. A perfect level bite is not desirable and must be penalized. Extreme overshot or undershot disqualifies.

Neck, Topline, Body

The neck is of proper length to permit the jaws reaching game to be retrieved, sloping downwards on beautifully curving lines. The nape is rather muscular, becoming gradually larger toward the shoulders. Moderate throatiness is permitted. The skin is close and tight. The chest in general gives the impression of depth rather than breadth; for all that, it is in correct proportion to the other parts of the body. The chest reaches down to the elbows, the ribs forming the thorax show a rib spring and are not flat or slabsided; they are not perfectly round or barrel-shaped. The back ribs reach well down. The circumference of the thorax immediately behind the elbows is smaller than that of the thorax about a hand’s breadth behind elbows, so that the upper arm has room for movement. Tuck-up is apparent. The back is short, strong, and straight with a slight rise from the root of the tail to the withers. The loin is strong, is of moderate length, and is slightly arched. An excessively long, roached or swayed back must be penalized. The hips are broad with hip sockets wide apart and fall slightly toward the tail in a graceful curve. A steep croup is a fault. The tail is set high and firm, and must be docked, leaving approximately 40 percent of its length. The tail hangs down when the dog is quiet and is held horizontally when he is walking. The tail must never be curved over the back toward the head when the dog is moving. A tail curved or bent toward the head is to be severely penalized.

Forequarters

The shoulders are sloping, movable, and well covered with muscle. The shoulder blades lie flat and are well laid back nearing a 45 degree angle. The upper arm (the bones between the shoulder and elbow joint) is as long as possible, standing away somewhat from the trunk so that the straight and closely muscled legs, when viewed from the front, appear to be parallel. Elbows which stand away from the body or are too close result in toes turning inwards or outwards and must be faulted. Pasterns are strong, short and nearly vertical with a slight spring. Loose, short-bladed or straight shoulders must be faulted. Knuckling over is to be faulted. Dewclaws on the forelegs may be removed. The feet are compact, close-knit and round to spoon-shaped. The toes are sufficiently arched and heavily nailed. The pads are strong, hard and thick.

Hindquarters

Thighs are strong and well muscled. Stifles are well bent. Hock joints are well angulated and strong with straight bone structure from hock to pad. Angulation of both stifle and hock joint is such as to achieve the optimal balance of drive and traction. Hocks turn neither in nor out. Cowhocked legs are a serious fault.

Coat

The hair is short and thick and feels tough to the hand; it is somewhat longer on the underside of the tail and the back edges of the haunches. The hair is softer, thinner and shorter on the ears and the head. Any dog with long hair in the body coat is to be severely penalized.

Color

The coat may be of solid liver or a combination of liver and white such as liver and white ticked, liver patched and white ticked, or liver roan. A dog with any area of black, red, orange, lemon or tan, or a dog solid white will be disqualified.

Gait

A smooth lithe gait is essential. It is to be noted that as gait increases from the walk to a faster speed, the legs converge beneath the body. The tendency to single track is desirable. The forelegs reach well ahead as if to pull in the ground without giving the appearance of a hackney gait. The hindquarters drive the back legs smoothly and with great power.

Temperament

The Shorthair is friendly, intelligent, and willing to please. The first impression is that of a keen enthusiasm for work without indication of nervous or flightly character.

Disqualifications

China or wall eyes. Flesh colored nose. Extreme overshot or undershot. A dog with any area of black, red, orange, lemon, or tan, or a dog solid white.

Approved August 11, 1992
Effective September 30, 1992

Secretariat General: 13, Place Albert 1er B – 6530 Thuin (Belgique)
25.04.2001/EN. FCI-Standard N° 119
German Shorthaired Pointing Dog (Deutsch Kurzhaar)

Translation: Walter Schicker
Origin: Germany
Date of publication of the official valid: 25.10.2000.
Utilization: Versatile hunting dog

Brief Historical Summary:

The history of the German Shorthaired Pointing Dog starts with the dogs which were used for the hunt with nets on feathered game, especially in the Mediterranean countries, and in combination with falconry. Via France, Spain and Flanders the Pointers came to the German courts. The most important distinctive feature of these dogs was their pointing performance. After the first double-barrelled gun was made (1750), a pointing dog was even more required. In full sight of the dog «game birds in flight» were shot. That was the beginning of the transition from a mere pointer to a versatile gundog. As a fundamental basis for the structure and development of the breed the «Zuchtbuch Deutsch-Kurzhaar» (Studbook) has been published since 1897. It was Prince Albrecht zu Solms-Braunfeld who compiled breed characteristics, judging rules for conformation and finally also simple trial regulations for hunting dogs. Today the German Shorthaired Pointing Dog still passes through the filter of elaborated breeding- and trial regulations. The standard stipulates the consitution of the German Shorthaired Pointing Dog, as a versatile hunting dog, which enables him to perform all requirements in connection with hunting activities, even when advanced in age.

General Appearance:

A dog of noble and balanced appearance, the conformation of which ensures strength, endurance and speed. Proud attitude, smooth outlines, lean head, well carried tail, firm shiny coat and well reaching, harmonious strides emphasize its nobility.

Important Proportions:

Length of body should slightly exceed height at withers.

Behaviour/Temperament:

Firm, balanced, reliable, restrained temperament, neither nervous nor shy or aggressive.

Head:

Lean, well defined, neither too light nor too heavy; as to strength and length, it matches the substance and the sex of the dog.

Cranial Region:

Skull: Moderately wide, flatly rounded, scarcely pronounced occipital bone, frontal furrow not too deep, noticeably developed superciliary ridges.
Stop: Moderately defined.

Facial Region:

Nose: Somewhat protruding. Nostrils sufficiently wide, broad and mobile. Basically brown, however black in black or black roan dogs. A flesh-coloured or spotted nose is only permissible in dogs with white as basic colour.
Muzzle: Long, broad, deep and strong in order to enable the dog’s correct carrying of game. Viewed from the side the nasal bridge shows a slight curvature in all transitions from a nobly constructed ram’s nose to a slight rise above the straight line – more prominent in males. A totally straight nasal bridge, although still acceptable, is less attractive; a concave bridge (dish-face) is a serious fault.
Lips: Tight fitting, not too pendulous, good pigmentation. The nasolabial line slopes almost vertically and then continues in a flat arch to the moderately pronounced corner of the lips.
Jaws/Teeth: Strong jaws with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite. The upper inscisors should reach over the lower incisors without gap and the teeth should be positioned vertically in the jaws. 42 sound teeth, in accordance with the teeth formula.
Cheeks: Strong, well muscled.
Eyes: Of medium size, neither protruding nor deep set. The ideal colour is dark brown. Eyelids tight fitting.
Ears: Moderately long, set on high and broad, flat and without twisting hanging down close to the head, bluntly rounded at the tip. Neither too fleshy nor too thin. When brought forward they are supposed to reach more or less the corner of the lips.

Neck:

Length in harmony with general appearance of the dog, progressively thickening towards the body. Very muscular and slightly crested nape. Tight fitting skin of throat.

Body:

Topline: Straight and slightly sloping.
Withers: Well defined.
Back: Firm and muscular. Vertebral processes should be covered by muscles.
Loin: Short, broad, muscular, straight or slightly arched. Transition from back to loin tight and well knit.
Croup: Broad and long enough, not abruptly slanting, but slightly slanting towards the tail, well muscled.
Chest: Somewhat deeper than broad with well defined forechest, with the sternum reaching back as far as possible. Sternum and elbow joint on the same level. Ribs well sprung, neither flat nor barrel-shaped. False ribs well reaching down.
Underline: With elegant arch, slightly tucked up towards rear, dry.

Tail:

Set high, strong at the root and then tapering, of medium length. About halfway docked for hunting purposes. At rest hanging down; in movement horizontal, neither carried too high above the backline nor extremely bent. (In countries where tail docking is prohibited by law, the tail can remain in its natural shape. It should reach down as far as the hocks and be carried straight or slightly sabre tail fashion).

Limbs Forequarters:

General appearance: Viewed from the front, straight and parallel; viewed from the side, the legs are well placed under the body.
Shoulders: Shoulder blades well laid back, well attached to chest, and strongly muscled. Shoulder blade and upper arm well angulated.
Upper arm: As long as possible, well muscled and dry.
Elbow: Close but not too tight to body, neither turned in nor out, well set back.
Forearm: Straight and sufficiently muscled. Strong bone, not too coarse.
Pastern joint: Strong.
Pastern: Minimal angulation of pastern and forearm, never standing upright.
Forefeet: Round to spoon shaped, with well tight and adequately arched toes. Strong toenails. Tough, resistant pads. Feet set parallel, neither turned in nor out, in stance as well as in movement.

Hindquarters:

General appearance: Viewed from behind straight and parallel. Good angulations in stifles and hocks, strong bone.
Upper thigh: Long, broad and muscular, with good angulation between pelvis and femur.
Stifle: Strong, with good angulation of upper- and lower thigh.
Lower thigh: Long, muscular with clearly visible tendons. Good angulation between lower thigh and hocks.
Hock joint: Strong.
Hocks: Strong, vertical.
Hind feet: Round to spoon shaped, with well tight and adequately arched toes. Strong toenails. Tough, resistant pads. Foot set parallel, neither turned in nor out, in stance as well as in movement.

Gait:

Well extended strides, with forceful propulsion from the hindquarters and adequate reach of the forelimbs. Front and hind legs moving straight and parallel. The dog is carrying himself in a proud attitude. Pacing gait is not desirable.

Skin:

Close and tight, not wrinkly.

Coat Hair:

Short and dense, rough and hard to the touch. Somewhat thinner and shorter on the head and ears, not remarkably longer at the underside of the tail. Should cover the whole body.

Colour:

• Solid brown, without markings.
• Brown with small white or flecked markings at chest and legs.
• Dark brown roan, with brown head, brown patches or specks. The basic colour of such a dog is not brown mixed with white or white with brown, but the coat shows such an even intensive mixture of brown and white which results in that kind of inconspicuous exterior of the dog ever so valuable for the practical hunt. At the inner sides of the hind legs as well as at the tip of the tail the colour is often lighter.
• Light brown roan with brown head, brown patches, specks or without patches. In this colouring the brown hairs are fewer, the white hairs are predominant.
• White with brown head markings, brown patches or specks.
• Black colour in the same nuances as the brown, respectively the brown roan colours.
• Yellow tan markings are permissible.
• Blaze, fleck and speckled flews are permissible.

Size:

Height at the withers:         Dogs 62 to 66 cm.

Bitches 58 to 63 cm.

Faults:

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

• Faults in attitude, not according or typical to gender.
• Muzzle too short.
• Flews too heavy or too thin.
• From the total of 4 PM 1 and 2 M3 only two teeth may be missing.
• Eyes too light. Yellowish «bird of prey» eyes.
• Ears too long, too short, too heavy, set on too narrow or twisted.
• Loose skin at throat.
• Slight roach back.
• Rump too short.
• Chest too deep.
• Tail strongly bent or carried too high above the topline.
• Elbows turned in or out. Feet turned in or out; forelegs standing close or wide.
• Hindquarters too straight.
• Slightly bow-legged, slightly cow-hocked or close hocks.

Serious Faults:

• Clumsy, lymphatic, coarse conformation.
• Marked stop.
• Flesh-coloured or flecked nose (except when basic colour of coat is white).
• Snipy muzzle, concave bridge of the nose (dish-face).
• Pincer bite or partial pincer bite (For dogs older than 4 years a socalled pincer bite due to age shall not affect evaluation as long as a «Deutsch-Kurzhaar-Club» has certified that at a previous show a correct bite was confirmed).
• Distinct roach back, slight swayback.
• Considerable lack in depth of chest. Poorly developed forechest. Ribs too flat or barrel shaped.
• Distinctly turned in or turned out elbows.
• Weak and down on pasterns.
• Pastern totally vertical.
• Distinctly cow-hocked or bow-legged, in stance as well as in movement.
• Overbuilt hindquarters.
• Flat feet.
• Spread toes.
• Clumsy gait.
• Deviation of more than 2 cm from the given height at the withers.

Disqualifying Faults:

• Aggressive or overly shy dogs.
• Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
• Distinctly non-typical gender characteristics.
• Absence of more than 2 teeth from the total of 4 PM 1 and 2 M3. Absence of 1 tooth or more teeth other than PM 1 and M3. Non visible teeth have to be considered as missing except when certified by a «Deutsch-Kurzhaar-Club» that at a previous show or trial their existence was confirmed.
• Overshot and undershot bite, wry mouth as well as all intergrades.
• Any surplus teeth arranged outside the dental arch.
• Cleft palate and hare lip.
• Excessively loose eyelids, ectropion, entropion, distichiasis (double row of eyelashes).
• Excessive swayback, malformation of the spine.
• Any malformation of the chest, e.g. «clipped sternum» (short sternum blending abruptly into the abdominal line).
• Dewclaws with or without bony skeleton.
• Weak character.

N.B:

• Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
• Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation should be used for breeding.

The latest amendments are in bold characters.